Measurement of a Nearly Friction-Free Stress–Strain Curve of Silicone Rubber up to a Large Strain in Compression Testing

Abstract

Nominal stress–strain curves of a silicone rubber specimen with a range of length-to-diameter (L/D) ratios have been measured via compression testing. The curves are highly dependent on the L/D ratio. The contact area has been measured using stamp ink applied to the sidewall of the specimen to determine the optimal L/D ratio which yields the stress–strain curve closest to the curve of the friction-free specimen. Traces of ink appear on the platen after the compression test, indicating that the phenomenon of rollover takes place. When the L/D ratio is less than 1.0, the contact area is less than that of the friction-free specimen although the phenomenon of rollover supplements the contact area. When the L/D ratio increases up to 1.0, the contact area increases toward that of the ideal specimen that deforms uniformly under the friction-free condition; the stress–strain curve of the specimen with the L/D ratio of 1.0 can be regarded as the nearly friction-free property of silicone rubber.